Three Central High Students Reach 2020 National Merit Scholar Semifinals

Three students at Springfield Central High School are semifinalists for the prestigious 2020 National Merit Scholarship.

Elizabeth Cardoza, Dylan Fowler, and Jacob Sharp are working to complete requirements necessary for them to be considered at the finalist level of the competition for part of about $31 million in college scholarships.

The students are part of the 16,000 semifinalists nationally, reduced from the 1.5 million high school juniors who entered the competition for the scholarships. The semifinalists for each state are determined by a number proportional to the number of the state’s graduating seniors.

Finalists are considered not only on academic achievement but involvement in community activities, employment, and leadership abilities. They must also earn recommendations from leaders in their school and community.